Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Ellis & Barbara Aycock, Sundance Farm Groundbreaking Organic Farming – Grant Award: $6,000 The Aycocks are semi-retired from off-farm work, and have raised livestock since 1987 and fruits and vegetables since 2006. They are one of very few commercial organic … View >>
Van Burnette Hop and Blueberry Production – Grant Award: $6,000 “Just applying for the grant was the best thing I could have done. I learned so much — the cost, the activities, just narrowing what I wanted to do with … View >>
Walter & Wendy Harrill, Imladris Farm The Bunny Barn – Grant Award: $6,000 The Harrills are full-time farmers, who have grown berries since 2000 to process gourmet jam to sell at open-air markets, festivals, online, groceries, restaurants and gift shops … View >>
Susan Mallard & Viki Nofke, Blue Heron Farm Culinary Herb Project – Grant Award: $6,000 Susan Mallard (CoOwner) & Viki Nofke (Farm Manager) Blue Heron Farm has produced fruits, vegetables and herbs since 1986 and been members and co-founders of … View >>
Neal & Ava Morgan Creating non-corn-based feed for beef cattle – Grant Award: $3,000 Neal is a third-generation farmer and has raised black angus beef cattle and alfalfa hay since 1984. He grew tobacco prior to 1994, and then leased … View >>
Janet Shisler Peterson, Cloud 9 Farm Sustainable Sawmilling – $9,000 “This WNC AgOptions project gives me the support for making a business plan with follow through. The grant will enable me to maintain a healthy forest, focus on the sustainability … View >>
Rayenelle Ritchie, Wilson Farms Greenhouses and Farm Store Expansion – Grant Award: $6,000 “The kids are helping out – they like working in the greenhouse. And it’s given us a wider customer base. When people come to the farm for … View >>
Debra Roberts Miss Bee Haven’s Ballard Branch Bee Yard – Grant Award: $3,000 Debra is a fourth-year beekeeper, following a non-chemical natural beekeeping approach. With the award, Debra plans to expand her current bee yard from five hives to ten … View >>
William Bruce & John Bruce B&B Farms Produce Stand – $9,000 “Running the produce stand will move me away from the uncertainty of the wholesale market.” ~ Billy Bruce Billy and John Bruce are former dairy & beef cattle farmers, … View >>
Glenn Carson Two Buddies Heirloom Apples – Grant Award: $3,000 “The WNC AgOptions money will enable us to overcome the biggest hindrance to production in our apple business thus far – pest control.” ~ Glenn Carson Glenn operates a 30-acre … View >>
Danny and Krista Lambert Beef Expansion – Grant Award: $6,000 The Lamberts, who grew tobacco in the 1970s, have raised livestock since the 1980s. With their award, they will expand their small grass-fed beef operation by clearing brush, adding fence, … View >>
Mick Rattler Job’s Tears (Coix Lacryma-jobi) – Grant Award: $3,000 Mick has raised a variety of vegetables, fruits and livestock since the 1960s With his award, Mick will cultivate Job’s Tears, a plant that produces a seed used as a … View >>
Charlie & Barbara Kissling Natural Farm-Raised Beef – Grant Award: $3,000 The Kisslings have raised beef cattle and ornamentals since 1997, are small business owners, and have 25 years of experience in food service. With the award, they will market … View >>
Philip Moore Organic Greenhouse Tomatoes – Grant Award: $3,000 “Having assistance with the initial start-up costs enabled us to get the business off the ground much more quickly and allowed us to experiment with different aspects of organic vegetable production. … View >>
Scott Boxberger, Stoney Hollow Farms & Stephanie Loafman, Five Sisters Stoney Hollow Farm Kitchen – Grant Award: $6,000 “The kitchen has increased farm income, and it makes a better use of the crop. There’s no waste.” ~ Stephanie Loafman “We … View >>
Scott Grahl & Stephanie Willis Winding River Hops – Grant Award: $6,000 “The grant enabled us to do a complete acre verses a half-acre, and, I think, do it correctly – establishing a good solid permanent trellising system from the … View >>